The First Three Decades of the FernUniversität

A very special Institution of Higher Education

In just three decades’ time the only German-speaking, state-maintained distance teaching university world-wide has developed into a respected institution in the scientific community, forward-looking by the use of the New Media and modern information and communication technologies in teaching. For the first time, especially working people were offered the chance of finding new perspectives by academic studies without having to interrupt their careers. Also the disabled, and those caring for sick or elderly people, or educating children, and others benefited from its opportunities. Individually-oriented people chose our university as a conscious alternative to studying at a conventional university. Conveying academic contents by the use of media has always been an outstanding and unique feature of the FernUniversität.